Management of cervical disc herniation with upper cervical chiropractic care.
OBJECTIVE
To discuss the chiropractic management of a patient suffering from multiple complaints, including a herniated nucleus pulposus in the cervical spine diagnosed by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).


METHODS
A 34-yr-old man suffered from severe neck, lower back and radicular pain of 1 yr duration. He had previously received care from multiple medical specialists, with little or no results. An MRI of the cervical spine demonstrated a C6-C7 herniated nucleus pulposus. A needle electromyogram examination confirmed the presence of a C6-C7 radiculopathy with radiculopathic changes from C4-C7. X-ray analysis showed that the atlas and axis were misaligned. These X-rays were read manually (with a template) and with computer-assisted digitization. Computerized analysis also measured misalignments at the levels of L4-L5.


RESULTS
The patient was managed primarily with the Grostic Procedure of upper cervical adjusting by hand. After a period of about 1 month, a series of re-examinations revealed a dramatic improvement in all subjective and objective findings. A follow-up of > 1 yr has shown that surgery was not necessary.


CONCLUSIONS
This single case study suggests that chiropractic care may be a viable treatment option for patients with cervical disc herniation. Further investigation into chiropractic adjustments as a treatment for this condition should be pursued.
Eriksen
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Eriksen Chiropractic Center, Dothan, AL 36301-1105, USA.
D000328:Adult; D002684:Chiropractic / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D007405:Intervertebral Disc Displacement / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D010146:Pain / Q000209:etiology; D013128:Spinal Osteophytosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D013131:Spine / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed